Packers Fans, Players Outraged Over Replacement Refs’ Call

Wide receiver Golden Tate #81 of the Seattle Seahawks makes a catch in the end zone to defeat the Green Bay Packers on a controversial call by the officials at CenturyLink Field on September 24, 2012 in Seattle, Washington.(credit: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A day later and that infamous play during Monday night’s Seahawks vs. Packers game still dominates conversation at local sports bars.

Packers fan Jerry McNabb said, “I couldn’t believe it. I saw it and I couldn’t believe it,” while having food and drinks with friends at Gabe’s on the Park in St. Paul. He says Monday night’s referee call, that cost his team the game, is about the worst he’s ever seen.

“They’re not worth the room that they take up. You gotta have — I mean the speed of the game just went by ’em,” said McNabb.

Regular NFL referees are still on lockout by the league over disputes about salary and pensions. Despite NFL efforts to show the replacement refs are doing a fine job, after last night, most aren’t buying it.

“I mean it was… it was bad,” said Gabe’s By the Park owner Tim “Giggles” Weiss.

Weiss is showing off his own very public disgust with the league with a sign on his marquee that simply says “We want the real officials back. RIP”

But criticism is much worse on social media.

Packers’ offensive lineman T.J. Lang tweeted in part “Embarrassing… thanks NFL. Fine me and use the money to pay the regular refs.”

Teammate Greg Jennings tweeted “#NFL C’MON MAN! Can’t even be upset anymore. All I can do is laugh.”

Even NBA player LeBron James weighed in tweeting “These replacement refs gotta go man!! Packers just got game took from them. That’s clearly a Interception”

The NFL Officiating Department said Tuesday it reviewed the video and supports the decision not to overturn the on-field ruling, following the instant replay review. It says the result of the game is final.
To read the NFL’s complete statement, click here.